Armatocereus cartwrightianus

Armatocereus cartwrightianus is a species of Armatocereus from Ecuador and Peru.

Description

Armatocereus cartwrightianus grows as a shrub or tree and reaches heights of up to 12 meters. Usually a well-developed trunk of up to 2 meters in height and a diameter of is formed. The dark green shoots are divided into long segments with a diameter of, which are tapered at both ends. There are six to nine ribs, separated by deep incisions, that are high. The needle-like, brown thorns later turn white and have a darker tip. The one to four central spines have a length of. The 15 to 25 spread radial spines are long.
The white flowers stand out horizontally. They are long and have a diameter of. The egg-shaped fruits are initially green and later turn red. They are long.

Distribution

Armatocereus cartwrightianus is distributed on dry coastal plains in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.

Taxonomy

The first description as Lemaireocereus cartwrightianus by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose was published in 1920. Arthur William Hill placed the species in the genus Armatocereus in 1938. Other nomenclature synonyms include Cereus cartwrightianus Werderm. and Armatocereus cartwrightianus Backeb.